Why do people ask about IQ. When it is apparent they have no clue what it is?

Question

It amazing that some people still believe something as abstract as intelligence can be quantified a single test. Most reasonable people have abandoned this notion.

The original type of IQ (the ratio IQ) was calculated as 100 multiplied by the ratio of your mental age to your actual age. But obviously this is only practical for children.

So this method was replaced by calculating the "IQ" as a percentile based on a mean of 100 (devaince IQ). This measurement, though referred to as intelligence quotient, isn't a quotient at all.

So why is that people consistently mention IQ scores as eveidence of one people superiority over another, when all they are doing is making it plainly apparent that they lack their own cognitive ability?

Robert - If you are so confident I copy and pasted, then it shouldn't be hard for you to copy and paste my comment and google it yourself, and tell me where I copied from?

also - I am flattered that you can not distinguish my own writing from some of the more scholarly works that you might find on the web (tongue in cheek).

Answer 1

EXACTLY! You hit the nail right on the head! I'm quite sure many will respond to you with the usual accusations... that you are just another black person claiming that "IQ tests are white".
Of course there ARE some people who make this claim. But this is NOT the point that most people who speak against IQ tests are trying to make. The fact of the matter is that intellect is the ability to think abstractly and to learn, reason, acquire (and apply) knowledge, and develop comprehension skills. As you asked, how can a single test determine that an individual is capable of these things? To believe in the possibility of this, in my opinion, is nothing short of ignorant. And it's even more profoundly ignorant to believe that a test can actually measure the level of a person's capability of these things. Seriously, this isn't just a matter of race, culture, social class, etc... It's also a matter of individuality. Why? Well, everyone is different. Everyone's mind is different. Each individual progresses at a different pace and in a different manner. So many factors contribute to intellect. There is really no simple way of explaining this to the stupid sh*ts who are, no doubt, going to respond with the usual naive arguments. So I'm going to shut up rather than wasting my time trying to reason with the dull heads. Just know that I feel ya! ☺

Answer 2

I love you dear. You are right indeed. IQ is not a real measure of intelligence or mental ability, they are highly unreliable, they don't take into consideration attention disorders, mood, stress, learning disabilities, etc. all of which, and others, that have been proven to affect scores by more than 25%. There are some highly intelligent dyslexics that would probably do horribly on a standard IQ test. Albert Einstein never took an IQ test in his lifetime but it was estimated that his IQ was around 160 which is only considered "extremely gifted" yet he was a genius physicist.
Furthermore I think it needs to be known that the creators of the same IQ tests and standardized testing systems that we use today, were strong champions of eugenics philosophy. Look up Eugenics and Alfred Binet (IQ tests). Look up eugenics and Carl Brigham (SAT tests). These people believed that through culturally biased testing their philosophies of dehumanizing other races to breed a dominate race could be achieved.This is also the same philosophy that was used in the Holocaust. I could go on and on, but my point is, IQ tests are crap. I am not saying this as an "unintelligent" woman by IQ standards either. When I was 16 I took an official Stanford-Binet IQ test with a licensed psychologist and my score was 137 (gifted) which actually puts me in the top 1% and qualifies me for Mensa But I took a bull corn Internet test a few months ago and my score was 127 (I guess I killed some brain cells over the years). But even with a high IQ score, I still can't change a tire, change my oil, keep the popcorn from burning in the microwave...

Answer 3

I agree, I know something like intelligence is too abstract to measure at all. However in a way I wish that the test is true lol, because I scored 136 on the online tickle IQ test! Does that mean Im not as smart as I think? aww... You're disappointing me $0.02 :(

Answer 4

I agree that someone's intellgence cannot be quantified with these silly tests as they are often too abstract and have no relevance to the practical world.

One example is Nicolas Tesla, one of the most intelligent men in history, he has something like 800 patents for his inventions, had a photographic memory and superb spatial cognitive and mathematical abilities. However he didnt have any business sense and got cheated out of big business deals and contracts a numnber of times, losing thousands of dollars. The guy ended up dying in poverty.

Answer 5

Very nice thought provoking question!^_^ The reason why some people hold on to this ideal is because they want so desperately to appear superior to another race. They are scared that once the cover is blown about these so called intelligence tests, that it will take away from the racists points that they try to validate and preach.

Answer 6

I do! Intelligence quotient!
Your point was taken and evident with the responses of the 'Resident Racists.' They hurried up and took the bait as another opportunity to show their ignorance. Obviously that is what non-intelligent dogs do.
You may draw controversy with your questions and answers but I must say... I like your style and there is one thing nowhone on here can say about you..... That you are not well educated of well informed! Thank you for showing dignity and intelligence in the face of ignorance.

Answer 7

IQ - 124, when tested officially in 1995..

Answer 8

I would rather have a friend whose IQ rating is average, than have a pompous-feeling, self-centered, high IQ friend whose only concern is how he/she can impress people with her intelligence. Not stereotyping high IQ people at all, but would rather just have a down to earth good friend that I can talk to about trivial things and not feel like a nit-wit. :)

Answer 9

$0.02, once again you are at the forefront of an excellent point. If you were to take your study a few steps forward, you would discover that it is mostly people who lack the ability to engage in thought provoking debate who mostly rely on these IQ scores. These are the same individuals who have their SAT's tattooed to every conversation as well. Kudos to you sir, on an excellent point!

Answer 10

I couldn't agree with you more!!!! When people ask my IQ I always answer "It doesn't matter, because that doesn't mean I am better at certain things, or a better person".... Thank you for being the voice of reason in a world of "well, I have a 140 IQ".... thanks again.